Berlin May Extend Reactor Lifetimes by 14 Years

A major conflict is brewing in Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition over the extension of nuclear reactor lifetimes. Some conservatives are demanding that the power stations be kept open by an average of 14 years beyond the 2022 phase-out date. The decision due in autumn 2010 could decide the political fate of Norbert Röttgen, her ambitious environment minister.

ESO: Background information: German Government Wants to Extend Nuclear Reactor Life Spans http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-government-wants-to-extend-nuclear-reactor-life-spans/

Wikipedia: Nuclear power in Germany http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_Germany

World Nuclear Association: Country Briefings: Nuclear Power in Germany http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf43.html

Deutsche Welle, 14.8.10: Nuclear debate heats up in Germany over new tax and plant lifespans http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5911353,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 16.8.10: A 'Bizarre Situation' as Nuclear Operators Threaten Shutdown http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,712054,00.html

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 17.8.10: Power lobby nukes Merkel (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief-cover/316921-power-lobby-nukes-merkel

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